PSA: Hair-Straightening Process Concerns

I saw this on Fox News last night. I am about to get the JHS done for the 3rd time and even though it isnt mentioned in this article I always wonder about the safty of the chemicals......

LINK

MYFOXNY.COM - Many women are obsessed with a hair-straightening process because it works so well. But the health warnings keep coming. There is more on the potential dangers associated with the treatment.

Brazilian straightening is designed for people with frizzy unmanageable hair. There are different brands and methods.

Here the hair is first shampooed, then partially dried. Next section by section the stylist applies a straightening formula, the hair is dried and flat ironed straight to seal the formula in. Then one final rinse and blow-dry.

Original warnings focused on formaldehyde but the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, recently released this hazard alert warning consumers to look out for these chemical names listed in the ingredients:

Methylene glycol
Formalin
Methylene oxide
Paraform
Formic aldehyde
Methanal
Oxomethane
Oxymethylene
Cas number 50-00-0

These are all considered to be a form of formaldehyde under OSHA's formaldehyde standard and all having the same risky side affects.

And 10 members of Congress recently sent a letter to the FDA It warns: "... Six countries have recalled the use of formaldehyde based straighteners."

And it calls for: "a voluntary recall of... brands that have high levels of formaldehyde..." "...warning labels..." and to review "whether to ban formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals from these products given the significant health hazard they pose."

The controversy began in fall 2010 with a stylist from Oregon who had severe upper-respiratory irritation after performing about 20 Brazilian straightening treatments.

The stylist reported her reactions and OSHA in Oregon became involved. Oregon OSHA then collected samples of the product she was using called "Brazilian Blowout Acai Professional Smoothing Solution." The label identified it as "formaldehyde free."

But Oregon OSHA tested the product and found it contained formaldehyde, on average 8.8 percent and as high as at 11.8 percent -- way over the precautionary limit set by OSHA of 0.1 percent.

"Probably the greatest concern people have with formaldehyde is that it's shown quite clearly through many scientific studies to cause cancer in animals and humans," said Dr. George Friedman-Jiminez of NYU's School of Environmental Medicine. "The cancers that it causes in humans are nasal cancer and throat cancer, and they are very rare."

And while your chance of getting cancer from any hair service is rare the doctor says you should still ask your stylist or salon owner what precautions they are taking to ensure your safety.

Brazilian Blowout's CEO told Fox 5 by phone the company has new formulas that are within the health standards. He claims his products and processes are "Life changing and safe."

Re: PSA: Hair-Straightening Process Concerns

My friend just got a keratin treatment not long ago and she is losing all her hair, she just posted on FB that she has bald spots and her hair keeps falling out like crazy, her dr told her this might be permanent

Re: PSA: Hair-Straightening Process Concerns

Posted by KartveliT

My friend just got a keratin treatment not long ago and she is losing all her hair, she just posted on FB that she has bald spots and her hair keeps falling out like crazy, her dr told her this might be permanent

Re: PSA: Hair-Straightening Process Concerns

Posted by Smileyd17

Posted by KartveliT

My friend just got a keratin treatment not long ago and she is losing all her hair, she just posted on FB that she has bald spots and her hair keeps falling out like crazy, her dr told her this might be permanent

really?

where did she go?

Im not trying to defend the process or salon but I have had it 3x with no probs.

I lost hair after my boys (and hair Brazilian 3 months later)....and my post partum hair loss was bad but Im back to normal now.

Re: PSA: Hair-Straightening Process Concerns

i was watching the Doctors and they were talking about the Brazilian Blowout and its dangers. I had it done in September and did experience a scratchy throat and nose. The hair results were amazing however i do not think i will be doing it again. I reportedly had 8% formaldehyde when they said that it had no traces of it. Sorry i am not going to risk cancer for frizz free hair.

Re: PSA: Hair-Straightening Process Concerns